Enhanced extraction of bioactive compounds from propolis (Apis mellifera L.) using subcritical water.

The bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of propolis extracts were investigated using subcritical water extraction (SWE). SWE was performed by varying temperature (110-200 °C) and time (10-30 min). SWE using only water as solvent successfully to extracted bioactive compounds from propolis using high-purity glass thimbles. The concentrations of galangin (16.37 ± 0.61 mg/g), and chrysin (7.66 ± 0.64 mg/g) were maximal at 200 °C for 20 min, and 170 °C for 20 min, respectively. The antioxidative properties from propolis increased with the increasing extraction temperature and extraction time on SWE. The maximum yields of the total phenolics (226.37 ± 4.37 mg/g), flavonoids (70.28 ± 1.33 mg/g), and antioxidant activities (88.73 ± 0.58%, 98.86 ± 0.69%, and 858.89 ± 11.48 mg/g) were obtained at 200 °C for 20 min. Compared with using ethanol extraction (at 25 °C for 24 h, total phenolics = 176.28 ± 0.35, flavonoids = 56.41 ± 0.65, antioxidant activities = 72.74 ± 0.41%, 95.18 ± 0.11%, 619.51 ± 8.17 mg/g), all yields of SWE extracts obtained at 200 °C for 20 min were higher. SWE is suitable for a much faster and more efficient method extracting bioactive compounds from propolis compared to traditional extraction method.

Development of a pH indicator for monitoring the freshness of minced pork using a cellulose nanofiber.

A cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based pH-sensitive indicator was developed by mixing CNF with red radish color extract (RRCE) to analyze the freshness of minced pork. Among various mixing conditions of RRCE solutions (0.4-1.6%) and CNF (0.5-1.25%), 0.8% RRCE/1% CNF showing higher mechanical properties, lower response to water, lower leakage of RRCE, and higher sensitivity to ammonia was selected as optimum. Ultraviolet-visible light transmittance and structural properties of the film indicated successful incorporation of RRCE into CNF, with rapid response to changes in pH caused by ammonia solution. The water vapor permeability of the indicator was maintained for 48 h. The fabricated pH-sensitive indicator showed apparent color changes from red color (fresh) to purple color (spoiled) during pork storage at refrigeration temperature. In addition, the deterioration degree was compared by measuring pH, microbial counts, and total volatile base-nitrogen level, confirming the applicability of this CNF-based film as a pH indicator.

Percentile Distributions of Birth Weight according to Gestational Ages in Korea (2010-2012).

The Pediatric Growth Chart (2007) is used as a standard reference to evaluate weight and height percentiles of Korean children and adolescents. Although several previous studies provided a useful reference range of newborn birth weight (BW) by gestational age (GA), the BW reference analyzed by sex and plurality is not currently available. Therefore, we aimed to establish a national reference range of neonatal BW percentiles considering GA, sex, and plurality of newborns in Korea. The raw data of all newborns (470,171 in 2010, 471,265 in 2011, and 484,550 in 2012) were analyzed. Using the Korean Statistical Information Service data (2010-2012), smoothed percentile curves (3(rd)-97(th)) by GA were created using the lambda-mu-sigma method after exclusion and the data were distinguished by all live births, singleton births, and multiple births. In the entire cohort, male newborns were heavier than female newborns and singletons were heavier than twins. As GA increased, the difference in BW between singleton and multiples increased. Compared to the previous data published 10 years ago in Korea, the BW of newborns 22-23 gestational weeks old was increased, whereas that of others was smaller. Other countries' data were also compared and showed differences in BW of both singleton and multiple newborns. We expect this updated data to be utilized as a reference to improve clinical assessments of newborn growth.

A mouse model system for genetic analysis of sociability: C57BL/6J versus BALB/cJ inbred mouse strains.

BACKGROUND: Impairments in social behaviors are highly disabling symptoms of autism, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. Mouse model systems are useful for identifying the many genes and environmental factors likely to affect complex behaviors, such as sociability (the tendency to seek social interaction). To progress toward developing such a model system, we tested the hypothesis that C57BL/6J inbred mice show higher levels of sociability than BALB/cJ inbred mice. METHODS: Mice tested for sociability were 4- and 9-week-old, male and female C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice. On 2 consecutive days, the sociability of each test mouse toward an unfamiliar 4-week-old DBA/2J stimulus mouse was assessed with a social choice paradigm conducted in a three-chambered apparatus. Measures of sociability included the time that the test mouse spent near versus far from the stimulus mouse, the time spent directly sniffing the stimulus mouse, and the time spent in contact between test and stimulus mice in a free interaction. RESULTS: C57BL/6J mice showed higher levels of sociability than BALB/cJ mice overall in each of these measures. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice will be a useful mouse model system for future genetic and neurobiological studies of sociability.

[The Relationship between High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Metabolic Syndrome according to the Fasting Glucose Level at Medical Checkups.].

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the difference in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and metabolic syndrome according to the fasting glucose level, especially between the groups of less than 100 mg/dL and 100-109 mg/dL, which were conventionally categorized into normal levels. METHODS: Those who underwent routine medical checkups aged above 20 (male, 3,221; female, 3,334) at a Health Promotion Center (Seoul, Korea) were divided into normal fasting glucose group I (glucose <100 mg/dL), normal fasting glucose group II (glucose, 100-109 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose group, and diabetes mellitus group. The hsCRP, obesity index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] were compared among the groups. The hsCRP and the components of metabolic syndrome were compared. RESULTS: The hsCRP level, age, obesity index, blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride significantly increased along with the increment in fasting glucose level in the 4 groups. The hsCRP had a positive correlation with the fasting glucose level, age, and systolic blood pressure, while it had a negative correlation with HDL-C. The metabolic syndrome was more common in the group with a higher level of glucose. CONCLUSIONS: The group with glucose level of less than 110 mg/dL, conventionally categorized into normal range, needs to be subdivided into a group of 100-109 mg/dL and a group of less than 100 mg/dL. The former group seems to require more efforts to have the glucose level to be maintained under the level of 100 mg/dL.